Joint assembly for disconnecting a segmented cutter bar

ABSTRACT

An improved segmented cutter bar for mining machines and the like wherein a cutting chain carrying bits is adapted to run continuously around the periphery of the cutter bar. The cutter bar comprises a flat elongated member having straight uninterrupted sides. A plurality of segments, also having straight uninterrupted sides, is adapted to bear flush against the sides of the cutter bar. The side segments are provided with suitable grooves, usually T-shaped, to receive T-shaped members extending from the cutting chain. The side segments are maintained flush against the outer peripheral sides of the cutter bar by means of threaded bolts extending from the adjacent bottom of the T-shaped slots and into a threaded nut placed within a bore extending into and/or through the cutter bar proper adjacent the peripheral edge thereof. A plurality of these bores and nuts is arranged at spaced intervals adjacent the peripheral edge of the cutter bar. Suitable openings extend from the side edges of the cutter bar to the respective nut-bores so that the threaded portion of the bolt may pass therethrough into engagement with the correspondingly threaded nut. The bolt is provided with an enlarged head which seats within an appropriate recess provided in the segment so as to hold same flush against the cutter bar.

.United States Patent [191 Krekeler [451 Oct. 7, 1975 [75] Inventor:Claude B. Krekeler, Cincinnati,

Ohio

[73] Assignee: The Cincinnati Mine Machinery Company, Cincinnati, Ohio[22] Filed: Feb. 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.1 438,634

[52] US. Cl. 403/8; 30/387; 37/142 A; 299/82; 403/20; 403/317; 403/377;403/405 [51] Int. Cl. F16D 1/10 [58] Field of Search 299/82, 83, 84;52/758 F; 29/427; 403/2, 7, 8, 19, 20, 22, 317, 379, 405, 406, 407, 408;172/271; 37/142 R, 142 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS1,048,096 12/1912 Ray 403/8 1,201,072 10/1916 Morris... 403/8 1,890,981l2/1932 Finkl 403/2 2,147,163 2/1939 Jimerson.... 403/379 2,156,7325/1939 Lewis 299/83 2,533,572 12/1950 Fulke..... 299/82 2,654,92310/1953 Johnson 403/8 2,883,012 4/1959 Hoffman 403/408 3,550,962 12/1970Goodrich et a1 299/82 Prim/1r: Frnmir ar w rnl=r H .QrhrnfirlprAssistant Exammer-Conrad L. Berman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Melville,Strasser, Foster &

Hoffman [5 7 ABSTRACT An improved segmented cutter bar for miningmachines and the like wherein a cutting chain carrying bits is adaptedto run continuously around the periphery of the cutter bar. The cutterbar comprises a flat elongated member having straight uninterruptedsides. A plurality of segments, also having straight uninterruptedsides, is adapted to bear flush against the sides of the cutter bar. Theside segments are provided with suitable grooves, usually T-shaped, toreceive T- shaped members extending from the cutting chain. The sidesegments are maintained flush against the outer peripheral sides of thecutter bar by means of threaded bolts extending from the adjacent bottomof the T-shaped slots and into a threaded nut placed within a boreextending into and/or through the cutter bar proper adjacent theperipheral edge thereof. A plurality of these boresand nuts is arrangedat spaced intervals adjacent the peripheral edge of the cutter bar.Suitable openings extend from the side edges of the cutter bar to therespective nut-bores so that the threaded portion of the bolt may passtherethrough into engagement with the correspondingly threaded nut. Thebolt is provided with an enlarged head which seats within an appropriaterecess provided in the segment so as to hold same flush against thecutter bar.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 1 of33,910,709

U.S. Patant Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,910,709

ff} nnnmum US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 3 Of3 JOINT ASSEMBLY FORDISCONNECTING A SEGIVIENTED CUTTER BAR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention The invention relates to an improved segmentedcutter bar for mining machines and the like, and more particularly toimprovements by which the segmented guide means for the continuouscutting chain are fastened to the cutter bar.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various cutter bar and cutter chainassemblies have been tried by the prior art. One of the olderarrangements is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,007,806 vto WilliamArchibald Logan wherein the cutter bar was provided with a shallowperipheral groove extending continuously throughout the side thereof.Elements of ,the cutting chain adapted to travel around the cutter barwere provided with a pair of members which straddled the edge of the barand which had turned in portions extending from the straddle membersinto grooves provided on the upper and lower faces of the cutter bar;the chain members also had additional projections extending into theshallow groove.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,962 to Ross H. Goodrich, et al. disclosed a somewhatdifferent arrangement although the cutter bar, like that of Logan justmentioned, did employ a shallow groove extending throughout theperipheral side thereof. In the Goodrich, et al. arrangement, however,this groove received the tongues of a plurality of segments which werebolted to the cutter bar and which segments were provided with T-shapedslots at the peripheral edge thereof to receive corresponding members ofthe chain, the slotted segments thus serving as guide ways for thechain. The segments had tongues extending into the groove in theperipheral side edge of the cutter bar and such tongue and groovearrangement provided locating means for the guide ways comprised of theslotted segments. Schuberts U.S. Pat. No. 869,659 is also of interest.

Claud B. Krekelers U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,755 disclosed a variety of cutterbar and cutter chain arrangements. One of these was generally similar tothat of Logan in that the chain had members having a pair of spaced legsadapted to straddle and to slidably engage the peripheral edge portionsof the cutter bar. Various wear strips and the like were employed. Inanother arrangement in Krekeler the cutter bar was provided with aperipheral channel of inverted T-shaped cross-section and the chain wasprovided with members adapted to be slidably engaged in the cutter barchannel.

These earlier arrangements, although each successful in its own time toa certain degree, presented problems in that it was difficult andexpensive to repair the cutter bar-cutter chain assembly when it becameworn. In those arrangements wherein the chain directly engaged theperipheral edge of the cutter bar, or even various wear strips providedthereon, the bar itself was eventually subject to wear to such a degreethat it had to be replaced and this was an expensive item. In thosearrangements wherein segments were fastened to the bar, the cutter chainengaging the segments, it was difficult to remove and replace thesegments when they became worn. An object achieved by the instantinvention, therefore, is that of providing an inexpensive, easily madeconstruction by which the worn segments of the cutter bar may be rapidlyand economically replaced as required. These and other objects andachievements of the invention will become apparent as the descriptionthereof proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An elongated flat cutter bar is provided with aplurality of segments extending substantially continuously throughoutthe periphery thereof, the segments having flat surfaces engaging theflat peripheral sides of the cutter bar. The segments provide means forengaging the cutter chain which moves around the cutter bar and whichchain carries the cutter bits. The segments are arranged to be quicklyand easily disengaged from the cutter bar when they become worn. This isachieved by providing a plurality of spaced bores extending into and/orthrough the cutter bar, the bores being adapted to receive nutstherewithin. Openings in the side edges of the cutter bar lead intothese bores. The segments are provided with corresponding openings toreceive bolts which pass through the segment openings and the cutter baropenings so that-the threaded portion of the bolt may engage acorrespondingly threaded portion of the nut. The bolts have enlargedheads which engage suitable recessed portions of the segments so thatwhen the bolts engage the nuts the segments are held flush against theperipheral side edge of the cutter bar.

The segments are removed from the cutter bar simply by driving a driftor the like through the cutter bar bore into engagement with the nutwhereby to breakoff the threaded stem of the bolt lying within thenutand cutter bar bore. The thus broken bolt and the nut may then simplybe dropped out of their respective openings and bores and the segmentremoved from the cutter bar. This removal operation is unhampered by anycorrosive interference from mining fines and the like including dust,debris, corrosive mine waters and similar substances. This is to bedistinguished, for example, from arrangements such as shown in the saidGoodrich, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,550,962 wherein, when the fasteningmeans become frozen within the segments and cutter bar, as surely theymust, there is no convenient, satisfactory way of removing them in orderto replace the segments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS yet another modification of thearrangements depicted in FIGS. 1 through 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary prespective view of a cutter bar and cutterchain carrying segment assembly.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating one way by which asegment for an outside running cutter chain may be attached to thecutterbar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to theembodiments of FIGS. 1 through 5 wherein a segment for an inside runningcutter chain is attached to the peripheral side edge of a cutter ban-andparticularly to FIG. 1, a typical cutter bar' is indicated at 10 and asegment at l 1. It will be uncommodate an inside running cutter chainand, for this purpose, it is provided with a T slot 12. It will befurther understood, as is well known in the art, that this T slot '12will accommodate mating elements extending from certain of the cutterchain components. A critical problemin the past has been the replacementof segments 'I1"'as"they became worn and the solution of this problem isa primary object of this invention as will now be describedl' Theperipheral side edge of the cutter bar 10 is straight '(flat) asindicated at 13. The segment 11 has a corresponding surface 14 adaptedto abut the surface 13. The cutter bar 'l'0is provided with a pluralityof bores 15, one of which is shown in FIG. 1 (but see also FIG. whichbores preferably extend completely 'through'the bar 10. A threaded nut16 is adapted to be just ni'cely'received within the bore 15.Preferably, but "not necessarily, this nut will be cylindrical and, ofcourse, is internally threaded as indicated at 17. The cutter bar isalso provided with an orifice 18 which, in the modification of FIG. 1,is larger in diameter than the threaded section 17 of the nut 16.

Thechain carrying segment 11 is provided with a stepped 'o'rifice'19-20extending completely through that body portion of the segment whichabuts the cutter bar surface 13, the stepped orifice forming a shoulderThe attaching means for connecting the cutter chain carrying segment 11to the cutter bar 10 is a bolt or screw generally indicated at 22 inFIG. 1. This particular member 22 includes a threaded stem 23 adapted toengage thethr'eads 17in the nut 16 in'the usual manher a shoulder 24adapted to be just nicely received within the Orifice: 18 provided inthe cutter bar 10, and an enlarged head 25 adapted to abut the shoulder21 formed in the segment 11, and internal sockets 26 adapted toreceive atool for effecting engagement of the threads 23 with the threads 17 asis well known in thcartf' I Toeffect engagement of the cutter chaincarrying segment 11 with the cutter bar 10 so that the surfacesl3an'dl4-of the cutter bar and segment 10 and 11 respectively abut oneanother, a nut 16 is located within thebore so'that the threads 17 areaxially aligned with the orifice 18. A bolt or screw 22 is then placedwithin the stepped orifice 19-20 and brought into threaded engagementwith the nut 16 until the enlarged head 25 abuts the shoulder 21 atwhich time the exterior surface 250 of the head will be at least flush,and preferablyinwardly spaced from, the bottom surface 12a of theT-shaped slot 12; it is important that the member 22 not interfer withthose elements of the cutter chain which ride within the T-shaped slot12. In the arrangement of FIG. 1 the engagement of the shoulder 24within the orifice 18 provides a quite stable connection of the segment11 to the cutter bar 10.

When the cutter chain carrying segment 11 becomes worn to the extentthat it is necessary to replace it, such segment may easily be removedsimply by applying a drift (not shown) against the nut 16 and breakingthe threaded stem 23 off the bolt or screw 22 whereafter the nut 16,having a part of the threaded portion 23 therein, and the remaining partof the bolt or screw 22, may simply be shaken from their respectivepositions in the cutter bar 10 and chain carrying segment 11, whereafterthe members 10 and 11 are completely free of one another. Inthisarrangement it will readily be apparent that it matters not whetherthe threads 23 become bonded in any way to the threads 17; there is noneed to effect removal of a complete bolt or screw 22 from thecombination. This represents a decided advance of the art. Indeed, itmay be desirable to effect a positive binding between the threads 17 and23 as, for example, by distorting them or by applying a binder coat orby otherwise setting up an interference between them.

The arrangement of FIG. 2 is very much like that of FIG. 1 and,therefore, like parts have been designated by like reference numerals.The FIG. 2 arrangement differs from that of FIG. 1 essentially in that abearing sleeve 27 is provided within the orifice 18. This sleeve 27 ispreferably of a harder'material than that of which the cutter bar 10 iscomprised. The orifice 18 of FIG. 1 is now indicated as a correspondingorifice 18a provided within this bearing sleeve 27. It will be readilyapparent that this arrangement provides even further protection for thecutter bar 10.

FIG. 3 also illustrates an arrangement much like that shown in FIGS. 1and 2and, as before, like reference numerals are employed to designatelike parts. In the arrangement of FIG. 3 the unthreaded shoulder portion24 of the bolt or screw 22 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 has beeneliminated, the threads 23 extending clear to the head 25 as indicatedat 23a. As before, that portion 20 of the stepped bore 19-20 is inalignment with the orifice 18 provided in the cutter 10. As in thearrangements of FIGS. 1 and 2 the flat surfaces 13 and 14 of the cutterbar 10 and chain carrying segment 11 are held flush against one anotherby insertion of the bolt or screw 22 into threaded engagement with thenut 16, the enlarged head 25 bearing against the shoulder 21, thusinsuring that the segment 11 remains in the position illustrated untilsuch time as the nut 16 and threaded stem 23 are broken for removal ofsuch segment.

The arrangement depicted in FIG. 4 is'r'n'u cl'ilike That illustrated inFIG. 3 differing therefrom in much the same manner as the arrangement ofFIG. 2 differs from that of FIG. 1, namely, a hardened bearing sleeve27a is provided within the orifice 18. In the arrangement of FIG. 4 thehardened bearing sleeve 27a passes not only through the orifice 18 ofthe cutter bar 10 but also through the portion 20 of the stepped bore19-20 provided in'the chain carrying segment 11.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that certainmodifications, not shown, may be made in the arrangements depicted inthese FIGS. 1 through 5. Thus, by way of example, the sleeve 27 shown inFIG. 2 may be arranged like that illustrated at 27a in FIG. 4 so that itpasses not only through the orifice 18 but also through the portion 20of the stepped bore 19-20; this stepped bore would, of course, have tobe enlarged so as to receive such sleeve but in any event the bolt orscrew 22, its head 25 engaging the shoulder 21, would maintain thesurfaces 13 and 14 flush against one another. It would also be possibleto modify either or both of the arrangements of FIGS. 2 and 4 byproviding the hardened bearing sleeves '27 27a with threads suitable toreceive the threads 23 of the bolt or screw 22. All of thesearrangements are within the pervi'ew of this in vention. i i y Earlierin these specifications was noted that eutt'er chain car'ryingsegmentslImay beadapted to accommodate outside running chains as well as theinside running chains. Such segments may also be secured to the cutterbar so as to realize theadvantages ofthis invention and an example ofthis is illustrated in FIG. 6. In describing this FIG. 6 like referencenumerals will again be utilized to designate like parts. In thisarrangement of FIG. 6 the chain carrying segment 11 is adapted toreceive an outside running cutter chain and, therefore, the T-shapedslot 12 has been eliminated. This segment 11 is provided with surfaces30 and 31 which are designed to be straddled and engaged byappropriately shaped members or legs provided on certain elements of theoutside running chain.

The chain carrying segment 11 of FIG. 6 is adapted to be secured to thecutter bar in much the same manner as is illustrated in connection withthe arrangement depicted in FIG. 1 so that the flat surfaces 13 and 14of the cutter bar 10 and chain carrying segment 11 are maintained inflush engagement. Thus, the segment 11 is again provided with a steppedbore 19-20 and a bolt or screw 22 having a threaded stem 23, a shoulderportion 24 and an enlarged head is adapted to be received therein. BoresIS in the cutter bar 10 are provided to accommodate nuts 16 havingthreads 17 to receive the threaded stem 23. FIG. 6 also more clearlyillustrates that preferred embodiment wherein the outside surface 25a ofthe bolt or screw 22 is spaced inwardly from the outside surface 11a ofthe replaceable guide segment 11 so as not to interfer with any portionof the bit carrying chain mounted on such segment; this surface 25acould also be flush with the surface 110. (This corresponds to thearrangement 25a-12a discussed in connection with FIG. 1 wherein it wasstated that it is desirable for the surface 25a to be spaced inwardlyfrom the surface 120 so as not to interfer with those chain componentswhich ride within the T- shaped slot 12.)

When the replaceable guide segment 11 becomes worn to the extent that itis desirable to replace same, such segment 11 may be disconnected fromthe cutter bar 10 in the same manner as this is accomplished. by thearrangements shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. Thus,

therefore, it is necessary only to apply sufficient pressure against thenut 16 as to break off the stem 23 from the remainder of the bolt orscrew 22 whereafter these broken parts may be readily removed andanother guide segment attached to the cutter bar 10 simply by employingnew nuts 16 and bolts or screws 22. In joining the segment 11, whetherit be that designed to accommodate an inside running chain such asindicated in FIGS. 1 through 5 or whether it be such as to accommodatean outside running chain as indicated in this FIG. 6, the bolts orscrews 22 are engaged within the nuts 16 until such time as the enlargedhead 25 abuts the shoulder 21.

It will be apparent that the modifications not only depicted in FIGS. 1through 4 may also be utilized in connection with the arrangementgenerally indicated in FIG. 6, but also that those modificationsdiscussed, but not shown, in connection with these FIGS. 1 through 4mayalso be utilized in connection with the arrangement ofthisFIG. 6. iIn addition to the foregoing it willbe"'apparent to those skilled in theart that various other modifications may be made in thisinvention'without departing from .the scope and spirit thereof; Thus, byway of further example, instead of the straight (flat) mating surfaces13 and 14 illustrated in the various FIGURES, other shapes maybe giventhese surfaces. {\tongue and groove arrangement such as shown in earliermentioned Us. Pat. No. 3,550,962 could be employed, or matingconvex-concave surfaces could" be used. Thus, while the flat surfaces13-14 are highly desirable, other surfaces which have a flush matingengagement with one anotherthro'ugh'outa substantial "portion thereofcould conceivably be employed. In this connection it is believed thatthe foregoing constitutes a full and complete description of the basicinvention. And while such invention has been illustrated and discussedin connection with a number of embodiments utilizing certain structuresand arrangements, the invention is not to be limited to such structuresand arrangements except insofar as they are specifically set forth inthe subjoined claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An improved segmented cutter bar combination for mining machines andthe like comprising: a cutter bar having a top surface and a bottomsurface and an external peripheral side edge between said two surfaces;a threaded attachment means located within a bore provided in saidcutter bar inwardly from said side edge and extending from one of saidsurfaces towards the other of said surfaces, said bore being of a sizeclosely receiving and maintaining said attachment means; a cutter chainholding segment having a mating edge held against said side edge; aseparate threaded attachment member rotatably located in a smooth boreprovided in said segment and having a head thereon, said attachmentmember being received by a smooth orifice provided in said side edge andbeing in threaded engagement with said attachment means; and an abutmentmeans in said segment being engaged by said head when said side edge andsaid mating edge are in abutting engagement with one another and whensaid attachment means and said attachment member are in threadedengagement with one another; whereby said segment may be disconnectedfrom said cutter bar by applying pressure through said first mentionedbore against said attachment means to break said attachment member.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said first mentioned bore extendsclear through said cutter bar to facilitate the breaking of saidattachment member and removal of said attachment means whendisconnecting said segment from said cutter bar.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which said attachment member has aportion thereof free of threads and being closely received in saidorifice when said segment is connected to said cutter bar and when saidside edge and said mating edge are in abutting engagement with oneanother.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which said side edge and said matingedge are flat.

5. The combination of claim 1 in which said second mentioned bore isstepped and having one diameter of a portion of said bore greater thanthe diameter of an adjacent portion of said bore, said abutment meansbeing located at the juncture of said portions.

6. The combination of claim 1 in which said threaded attachment meansand said threaded attachment member are positively bound together.

7. The combination of claim 1 including a bearing sleeve located in saidorifice and through which said attachment member extends.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which said bearing sleeve also extendsinto a portion at least of said second mentioned bore.

9. An improved segmented cutter bar for mining machines and the likecomprising: a cutter bar having a top surface and a bottom surface andan external peripheral side edge between said two surfaces; said cutterbar being provided with a bore located inwardly from said side edge andextending from one of said surfaces towards the other of said surfaces,said bore being of a size to closely receive and maintain a threadedattachment means therein; said cutter bar also being provided with asmooth orifice in said side edge extending to said bore so as to receivean attachment member rotatable therein; whereby a cutting chain holdingsegment may be secured to said cutter bar by means of a threadedattachment member passing through said orifice into engagement with athreaded attachment means located in said bore.

10. The improved segmented cutter bar of claim 9 in which said side edgeis a single planar surface extending from said top surface to saidbottom surface.

l l =l

1. An improved segmented cutter bar combination for mining machines andthe like comprising: a cutter bar having a top surface and a bottomsurface and an external peripheral side edge between said two surfaces;a threaded attachment means located within a bore provided in saidcutter bar inwardly from said side edge and extending from one of saidsurfaces towards the other of said surfaces, said bore being of a sizeclosely receiving and maintaining said attachment means; a cutter chainholding segment having a mating edge held against said side edge; aseparate threaded attachment member rotatably located in a smooth boreprovided in said segment and having a head thereon, said attachmentmember being received by a smooth orifice provided in said side edge andbeing in threaded engagement with said attachment means; and an abutmentmeans in said segment being engaged by said head when said side edge andsaid mating edge are in abutting engagement with one another and whensaid attachment means and said attachment member are in threadedengagement with one another; whereby said segment may be disconnectedfrom said cutter bar by applying pressure through said first mentionedbore against said attachment means to break said attachment member. 2.The combination of claim 1 in which said first mentioned bore extendsclear through said cutter bar to facilitate the breaking of saidattachment member and removal of said attachment means whendisconnecting said segment from said cutter bar.
 3. The combination ofclaim 1 in which said attachment member has a portion thereof free ofthreads and being closely received in said orifice when said segment isconnected to said cutter bar and when said side edge and said matingedge are in abutting engagement with one another.
 4. The combination ofclaim 1 in which said side edge and said mating edge are flat.
 5. Thecombination of claim 1 in which said second mentioned bore is steppedand having one diameter of a portion of said bore greater than thediameter of an adjacent portion of said bore, said abutment means beinglocated at the juncture of said portions.
 6. The combination of claim 1in which said threaded attachment means and said threaded attachmentmember are positively bound together.
 7. The combination of claim 1including a bearing sleeve located in said orifice and through whichsaid attachment member extends.
 8. The combination of claim 7 in whichsaid bearing sleeve also extends into a portion at least of said secondmentioned bore.
 9. An improved segmented cutter bar for mining machinesand the like comprising: a cutter bar having a top surface and a bottomsurface and an external peripheral side edge between said two surfaces;said cutter bar being provided with a bore located inwardly from saidside edge and extending from one of said surfaces towards the other ofsaid surfaces, said bore being of a size to closely receive and maintaina threaded attachment means therein; said cutter bar also being providedwith a smooth orifice in said side edge extending to said bore so as toreceive an attachment member rotatable therein; whereby a cutting chainholding segment may be secured to said cutter bar by means of a threadedattachment member passing through said orifice into engagement wiTh athreaded attachment means located in said bore.
 10. The improvedsegmented cutter bar of claim 9 in which said side edge is a singleplanar surface extending from said top surface to said bottom surface.